Manslaughter Indictment In WOC Bar Owner’s Death

SNOW HILL — A Worcester County grand jury last week indicted a West Ocean City man on manslaughter and assault charges for his role in the death of a West Ocean City bar owner in October.

Last Wednesday, the grand jury indicted Cyle Walker, 26, of West Ocean City on manslaughter, second-degree assault and disorderly conduct charges in the death of 707 Sports Bar and Grille owner Carey Patrick Flynn. Walker admitted to being in a verbal altercation with Flynn outside the establishment and that the altercation turned physical.

Around 2:23 a.m. on Oct. 6, a Worcester County Sheriff’s deputy was dispatched to the 707 Sports Bar and Grille in reference to a disturbance complaint. The deputy arrived and met with a Maryland State Police trooper, who advised the bar’s owner, Carey Patrick Flynn, had been assaulted.

According to reports, Flynn, who was on the ground with visible abrasions on his knees and elbows, was complaining of shortness of breath. Emergency Services were dispatched to the scene and Flynn was transported by ambulance to AGH, where he died a short time later. It was later learned Flynn had a heart condition.

The investigation revealed a suspect, later identified as Walker, had been in a verbal confrontation with Flynn that had turned physical. While police were still on the scene, Walker returned and spoke with the deputy, advising the officer a verbal altercation had taken place between he and Flynn. According to police reports, Walker admitted pushing Flynn, causing him to fall to the ground.

Walker was charged initially with second-degree assault.

However, that second-degree assault charge against Walker was later dismissed about two weeks after the incident. Worcester County State’s Attorney Beau Oglesby, who was on the scene of the investigation the day of Flynn’s death, said later dropping the second-degree assault charge was a formality and Walker remained a person of interest. The initial second-degree assault charge was dropped in order to leave the investigation open-ended until the medical examiner’s report came back. Oglesby explained in October the initial second-degree assault charge was dropped in order to prevent it from moving forward to trial and avoid a potential double jeopardy situation.

The 707 Sports Bar and Grille closed for good in December and the building remains vacant.

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